While the domestic demand and prices for the steel plate in Turkey have remained relatively stable, the import offers have continued falling. The key reason is that the suppliers, who have been pricing their plates at high levels for Turkey, are now forced to provide discounts in order to be competitive with Turkey’s local producer and also other overseas sellers.
South Korea is still the most competitive in terms of the price, which is at $850/mt CFR from POSCO, $10/mt down over the week. Another Korean mill is offering at $890/mt CFR. Both offers are for January shipments, which is the main disadvantage of the sellers.
As for the European sellers, Bulgaria’s Stomana has dropped its official price by $100/mt since earlier in September and is at $1,000/mt CFR for November shipments. Some buyers report $980/mt CFR levels might be achievable from the seller. Romania’s Liberty Galati is offering plate at $1,050-1,070/mt CFR for November shipments, $50-70/mt down over the week.
In the shipbuilding segment, the grade A plate offers from China for November shipments are at $900/mt CFR, SteelOrbis has learned. Macedonia, according to sources, is at $980-1,000/mt CFR, but some of the customers report $960/mt CFR is also possible for the good orders.
Locally, Turkey’s Erdemir is at $1,000/mt ex-works base for plate officially and around $30-50/mt higher for S355JR grade. Still, the level of $980/mt ex-works is considered quite possible.